I was chilling outside around sunset and slowly but surely hundreds of people starting congregating along the promenade, a news reporter informed me everyone was celebrating St. Peters day. The evening turned into a small festival, we had a wonder, went for some sushi and hit the sack. Best sushi I've ever had btw. It just opened 2 days ago and we took full advantage of our empty stomachs.
The next morning we ventured down to the fish market, took about 20 mins, passing boat after boat docked up ready to deliver it's passengers to various places along the Amazon river 100's and even 1000's of miles away. All I can say is I'm glad we booked a flight at the last minute than spend 2 days on one boat in a hammock, which we originally were going to do..the conditions looked ropey at best.
So, we got to the Fish market just as they were feeding some scraps to the pink dolphins, perfect timing. Bren had his go-pro extension stick and got some worldy footage of a dolphin snapping at the camera!
After 10 minutes or so they stopped feeding and buggered off, so we took a quick boat ride out to see where the waters separate, a decent view but nothing spectacular to be honest, 2 big ticks off the list though!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g673261-d2501117-Reviews-Meeting_of_the_Waters-Santarem_State_of_Para.html
We had a flight booked later in the afternoon so hit some shops and tried to get some more money out for the coming week ahead. This was a bigger mission than we anticipated. We forgot it was the last day of the month, and it only clocked when we entered the bank, facing a herd of Brazilians tightly packed into one massive room with about 10 cashpoints. No ques or order, dog eat dog, it was nuts.
We finally set off late afternoon, arrived in Belem.
umm.. not much to say about Belem, surroundings certainly had character. Our hotel was nothing like the pictures on the net. We sucked it up for 1 night and stayed in a Holiday Inn for the next 2 nights.
Spent most the time in the local shopping centre getting a few bits and the hotel.
So, we buggered off to Fortaleza on the 3rd. I booked a place through Air BnB for 2 nights.
The taxi driver couldn't find the place, after 1 hr of asking a dozen locals and driving around like a headless chicken we decided to leave it and head back to the airport. As we drove up this random road we saw the number 640 (which we were looking for) and a few people hanging outside. It was only the place we booked, absolutely chanced it! Really nice place aswell, properly guarded and the family were extremely kind and welcoming. We had some breaky and hit the sack about 8am. Got up around 1pm and after an hr or so of getting to the know family the son, Bruno, took us out to Fortaleza beach. We were greeted by a beautifully scenic sunset, had a long wonder and some beers on the beach. It was a perfect evening, finished off with nice meal back near the house.
The house was located about a 10 minute walk from Stadium. We passed it in the car several times, was certainly feeling the excitement knowing we would be inside there tomorrow watching the most anticipated game so far. Brazil vs Columbia in the quarter final.
The next day came and Bruno whisked us off to the stadium dropping us 5 mins away. After a brisk walk we went straight through the gates and up to our seats in the corner of the stadium about 20 rows from the top. Happy with that.
As the game unfolded the atmosphere grew proportionally, a sea of yellow surrounded the small patches of red Columbian fans, although there were many with yellow shirts that were hard to spot if it wasn't for the chanting!
1-0 up and David Luiz to take a free kick, haven't seen him take one thus far so thought it would be a good idea to get the phone out and video it. A great decision. Top bin. The place absolutely erupted, the stands felt like they shook and the chanting stepped up another level, pausing briefly for the Columbians to celebrate a superbly composed penalty from the player of the tournament so far, James RodrÃguez.
Can see the video here.. a moment I will never forget. What a hit son!
David Luiz free kick Brazil vs Columbia Quarters: http://youtu.be/yY5ghSJtpNI
So, a Brazil Germany semi. Have to say the Germans will be favourites especially after Neymar's sad exit and Silva's double yellow rules him out too. Still hope Brazil come through, maybe on pens? That would be something.
After the game and as Bruno offered earlier in the day, he took us out on the lash, with a mate of his who had been drinking most the day. Good lad who was well upfor it. Was a quality night, full of banter. Or as much as we could have through the translation app, body language and the little known Portuguese we know of! Got back to the house just after sunset and a stomach full of burger. Slept through until 12ish, watched the Argies beat Belgium and caught yet another flight to Recife, followed by a bus down to Port de Galinhas.
Our place was right on the beach basically, a good surfing beach at that. Place called Maraciape, we spent an hour today getting bashed around like a rag doll, occasionally catching a wave only to fall off immediately after standing up. Will try another spot tomorrow where the waves aren't so savage!
Weather has been a treat since leaving Belem, should carry on like this for the rest of our stay here aswell. Big game tomorrow to look forward to and we just found out they'll be showing it (Germany vs Brazil) on a big screen on the beach. Bang on.
Over and out for now!
Alex
So, we got to the Fish market just as they were feeding some scraps to the pink dolphins, perfect timing. Bren had his go-pro extension stick and got some worldy footage of a dolphin snapping at the camera!
After 10 minutes or so they stopped feeding and buggered off, so we took a quick boat ride out to see where the waters separate, a decent view but nothing spectacular to be honest, 2 big ticks off the list though!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g673261-d2501117-Reviews-Meeting_of_the_Waters-Santarem_State_of_Para.html
We had a flight booked later in the afternoon so hit some shops and tried to get some more money out for the coming week ahead. This was a bigger mission than we anticipated. We forgot it was the last day of the month, and it only clocked when we entered the bank, facing a herd of Brazilians tightly packed into one massive room with about 10 cashpoints. No ques or order, dog eat dog, it was nuts.
We finally set off late afternoon, arrived in Belem.
umm.. not much to say about Belem, surroundings certainly had character. Our hotel was nothing like the pictures on the net. We sucked it up for 1 night and stayed in a Holiday Inn for the next 2 nights.
Spent most the time in the local shopping centre getting a few bits and the hotel.
So, we buggered off to Fortaleza on the 3rd. I booked a place through Air BnB for 2 nights.
The taxi driver couldn't find the place, after 1 hr of asking a dozen locals and driving around like a headless chicken we decided to leave it and head back to the airport. As we drove up this random road we saw the number 640 (which we were looking for) and a few people hanging outside. It was only the place we booked, absolutely chanced it! Really nice place aswell, properly guarded and the family were extremely kind and welcoming. We had some breaky and hit the sack about 8am. Got up around 1pm and after an hr or so of getting to the know family the son, Bruno, took us out to Fortaleza beach. We were greeted by a beautifully scenic sunset, had a long wonder and some beers on the beach. It was a perfect evening, finished off with nice meal back near the house.
The house was located about a 10 minute walk from Stadium. We passed it in the car several times, was certainly feeling the excitement knowing we would be inside there tomorrow watching the most anticipated game so far. Brazil vs Columbia in the quarter final.
The next day came and Bruno whisked us off to the stadium dropping us 5 mins away. After a brisk walk we went straight through the gates and up to our seats in the corner of the stadium about 20 rows from the top. Happy with that.
As the game unfolded the atmosphere grew proportionally, a sea of yellow surrounded the small patches of red Columbian fans, although there were many with yellow shirts that were hard to spot if it wasn't for the chanting!
1-0 up and David Luiz to take a free kick, haven't seen him take one thus far so thought it would be a good idea to get the phone out and video it. A great decision. Top bin. The place absolutely erupted, the stands felt like they shook and the chanting stepped up another level, pausing briefly for the Columbians to celebrate a superbly composed penalty from the player of the tournament so far, James RodrÃguez.
Can see the video here.. a moment I will never forget. What a hit son!
David Luiz free kick Brazil vs Columbia Quarters: http://youtu.be/yY5ghSJtpNI
So, a Brazil Germany semi. Have to say the Germans will be favourites especially after Neymar's sad exit and Silva's double yellow rules him out too. Still hope Brazil come through, maybe on pens? That would be something.
After the game and as Bruno offered earlier in the day, he took us out on the lash, with a mate of his who had been drinking most the day. Good lad who was well upfor it. Was a quality night, full of banter. Or as much as we could have through the translation app, body language and the little known Portuguese we know of! Got back to the house just after sunset and a stomach full of burger. Slept through until 12ish, watched the Argies beat Belgium and caught yet another flight to Recife, followed by a bus down to Port de Galinhas.
Our place was right on the beach basically, a good surfing beach at that. Place called Maraciape, we spent an hour today getting bashed around like a rag doll, occasionally catching a wave only to fall off immediately after standing up. Will try another spot tomorrow where the waves aren't so savage!
Weather has been a treat since leaving Belem, should carry on like this for the rest of our stay here aswell. Big game tomorrow to look forward to and we just found out they'll be showing it (Germany vs Brazil) on a big screen on the beach. Bang on.
Over and out for now!
Alex
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